The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-03-26
ALONG LENT"
1t at Last Passed Away for the
Martin Family.

It was cold, dark, cherries day. and the
qsity streets, which, few weeks before,
were thronged with happy crowd of
Christmas buyers, were almost deserted.
A fine, sleety snow was falling, and the
wind was rising in very unpleasant way,
blowing the sharp particles of snow in
every ones eyes and ears, not at all abashed
by the umbrellas that were held to ward
them off It's poor snowflake that allows
itself to be discouraged by an umbrella
when there 10 any wind at all; for, if it
fails to get under or around that particular
umbrella, it can drift to one side, or even
fan to the ground, and rise again in a min
1ate, fresh and vigorous for another attack.
''Why, is that you, Katiel nearly ran
you down"
''My, Doesn't it blow? I'm almost pulled
to pieces" is the reply, as two young girls
meet at the entrance of florist.
Ooh Matte, what lovely roses ~ the last
speaker continued. Are you going to wear
them to-night'
Yes. Aren't they fne9 They'll go so
weil with my pink plush. l hear that
Mamie Tracy gives a party next week.
suppose we'll be invited"
'IOf course" said she who answered to
the name of Katie Sand I'm awfully glad.
Bat then to think Lent's got to come in and
spoil all our funp'
YES" said Matte lightly. Il don't see
why we have to keep Lent when we'd so
much rather be having good time"
well, We'll have good time tonight,
any way. I'm going to buy some yellow
flowers of some sort, if l can find them.
Come in with me-"
''No. must hurry home. I've lots to do
before night"
Goodbye, then" And Katie tripped into
the store while Matte paused before the
window to see if among the roses there dis
played were any more beautiful than the
ones she had purchased. She did not notice
a little thin wisp of girl standing close
against the glass, with her eyes upon the
bank of lovely flowers in the window. Such
a little thin, cold girl! but neat and clean,
although so very poorly clad. She was
looking in the window; but it was evident
that her thoughts were upon her fair neigh
Dor, whose warm, fur-trimmed costume
brushed against the faded calico skirt and
the small checked shawl, in which she had
rolled Ter arms in the vain hope of warm
ing them. She looked puzzled and dis
tressed, and seemed to be trying to muster
sufficient courage to address the pleasant
faced girl by her side Matte turned to go,
and this brought matters to crisis. One
little blue hand came out of the checked
shawl, aud was laid lightly on Mattie's arm.
''May l speak to youl l want to know-I
-I-want to ask you'-
Matte turned, and looked into the be-
seeching eyes that were as blue as her own,
but that had seen more privation and
trouble in her own life and in that of those
around her than Mattie's had in all their
sixteen years. Matties heart throbbed
with pity as, with one glance, she took in
the poverty of the child before her. She
was used to poor persons; her mother and
herself both taught in u mission sewing
school, and Matte had accompanied her
mother upon many visits to their little pu-
y iHis.
What is it," asked Matte, kindly.
WHAT do you want?"
II heard you talking, and / want TOTO
know if there are two-two of them"
1.-TWO of what!"
1.-TWO of them; two Lents. What is
1.entl"
"fentw exclaimed Matte, in astonish-
ment. ''Why, Lent is-is-why, Lent is a
"a fast of the Church. There is only one. :"
''Oh" said the child, in disappointed
zones, and, rolling her arms in her shawl,
gtnrned as if to go.
Don't gor said Matte "Where do you
1ivsi What is your name, and why did you
ask me about LentW
81 live in the alley back of Chester street,
IA Ferris row." was the reply, in hesita-
ting voice. "My names Allie Martin"
She paused, and seemed reluctant to an
eyer tho last part of Mattie's question.
Matte repeated it kindly.
'Iheard the other girl say Lent spoils all
your good times. Mr.. Mason talks of Lent
but he never said it spoilt any thing Are
you sure there is only one!"
''Why, don'Al know what you meanI'
said Matte, SURPRISED at the tears that stood
in the little girls eyes. who's Mr.. MasonP'
''Mr. Mason he's minister. He comes
to see mother
Matte felt the blood rush to her cheeks
as she recalled the\ words the child had
overheard; and she Afelt condemned and
embarrassed before tlfe girl whose faith in
some one or something she had evidently
and painfully shaken. \To cover her con.
fusion she asked Allies hame second time
and scrubbed it down onNone Of her bundles
''Would you like my mNther to come and
see you, Allie9n she askeA "She can tel
you all about Lent"
"Yes, ma'am thank you, z and the child
was hidden from view by a gay matinee
crowd that poured forth froi n an adjoining
xheater.
what is Lentv rang in Ma tiles ears al
the way home. She was morti fed that she
had not been able to give the CHILD better
answer. As she thought about it, she was
surprised to find how little att ention she
had ever given to the meaning; Of those
forty days that ended with EasteNr Sunday
She know what that COMMUNICATED, o.
course; but Of that interval when hei
friends refraincd from worldly gaayeties
and society was 80 awfully dull" as sht